Hire LA's Youth, one of Mayor Eric Garcetti's top initiatives, will connect 15,000 young Angelenos to employment opportunities this summer

Los Angeles youth between the ages of 14 and 24 today began registering for the 2016 Hire LA's Youth summer employment program. Hire LA's Youth provides what are often first-time paychecks, along with skills training, on-the-job mentoring and financial literacy workshops.

Young Angelenos are encouraged to register online at HireLAYouth.org. Summer jobs begin in early July after the youth have attended sessions to prepare them for the workplace, learning how to write resumes, conduct job interviews and manage the money they will be earning. Participants are paid $10.50 an hour and work 120 hours each.

The City and County of Los Angeles are working closely through their Workforce Development Systems to administer this year's program, strengthening the local economy and providing career exploration for low-income and vulnerable youth.

Hire LA's Youth exposes teenagers and young adults to opportunities in high-growth industries such as transportation, healthcare, hospitality, entertainment and financial services. It targets L.A.'s vulnerable populations, including foster youth, homeless youth, youth on probation and families receiving CalWORKS public assistance.
Mayor Eric Garcetti this year has set a goal of connecting 15,000 youth to jobs, up significantly from the 12,000 who found employment last year. Departments across the City of Los Angeles have pledged to sponsor thousands of wage-earners, including the Housing Authority, the Department of Recreation and Parks and the Los Angeles Public Library. Private-sector employers are also stepping up, providing thousands more jobs at area hospitals, health care facilities, banks, movie studios and retail centers.

"We look forward to signing up all employers, especially in the private sector, so that young people can get some real-life work experience," said Jan Perry, General Manager of the Los Angeles Economic and Workforce Development Department. "In return, employers will help transform the life of a highly motivated young person."

To learn more about the program, watch this video featuring Mayor Eric Garcetti and participants in the 2015 Hire LA's Youth campaign. The video was created by the Economic and Workforce Development Department, which administers the program in partnership with the City of Los Angeles Workforce Development Board.